India is projected to add 300 million new urban residents by the year 2050 to the already existing large base of 377 million urban residents. The management of such a great magnitude of population in urban areas is a challenge which comprises of a constant struggle of coping with the crumbling urban infrastructure, deficiencies in urban services, financial woes at municipal level, governance issues and an unprecedented impact on environment. It is imperative to focus on sustainable urban development by upgrading the existing cities and building new ones - a task which requires not just policy interventions and financial stimulus but also a holistically trained manpower to lead through smart solutions oriented approach to addressing these challenges in a sustainable manner.

The MTech programme in Urban Development and Management (UDM) at the TERI University launched in July 2013 seeks to develop a cadre of urban practitioners trained in sustainable urban development agenda with a distinctive multi-disciplinary approach. The programme equips students with cutting-edge technical skills like data modelling, managerial capabilities, and understanding of socio-economic, environmental, and legal issues associated with urban development and its three major components namely housing, infrastructure and environment.

WHY STUDY Urban Development and Management ?

The uniqueness of the programme is in promoting learning through research-based teaching, engagement of practitioners, and a diverse pedagogy ranging from classroom teaching, tutorials, discussions about various case studies, and most importantly field work. The programme also exposes students to urban local bodies, parastatals and urban development organizations and consultancy firms through two intensive internships. Overall the programme helps in building capacities for understanding the real-world urban development and management problems and identifying solutions for sustainable urban development.

Highlights of MTech UDM Programme

Field work and research based teaching

Intensive internships at Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Parastatals

Skill-building in Sustainable Urban Development

WHY STUDY AT TERI SAS ?

The programme provides students with the following:

Learning through research-based teaching and a diverse pedagogy ranging from classroom teaching, tutorials, case study discussions and field work and participation in conferences.

Exposure to best practices in urban development sector and government programmes such as the JNNURM, smart cities, slum development, water supply and solid waste management, and urban regeneration.

Exposure to state of the art tools such as geo-informatics, stochastic modelling, project development and management, and GRIHA rating tools for sustainable buildings.

Interaction with leading professionals and practitioners in urban development and related areas.

Where will the Degree Take You?

The programme prepares students for a successful career in the urban development sector like:

Urban local bodies, state governments and other public sector institutions involved in delivery of urban infrastructure and services.

Internships

Major Project Part 1 (Third Semester): Third semester students of 2013-15 batch undertook five months of intensive internship with municipal corporations in Delhi NCR, viz. South Delhi, East Delhi, Faridabad and Gurgaon. Students got exposure to the role and functioning of different departments of these municipal corporations such as finance, engineering, and town planning. Their key learnings were:

Active involvement in on-going projects of the municipal corporations

Enhanced capacities in terms of knowledge base, analytical skills and career opportunities

Awareness and understanding about the challenges faced in the delivery of services and implementation of various schemes of the municipal corporations.

Outcomes: Students prepared reports based on field investigations coupled with secondary data analysis and literature review on related best practices. Reports covered diverse thematic areas on urban development such as:

Urban service delivery and management with a focus on ground water

Non-motorized transport, multi-level parking

Solid waste management including waste-to-energy technological option

Urban village redevelopment strategy

Smart and sustainable development of slum pockets.

"It gives me immense pleasure to say that the work done by TERI SAS students, are remarkable during their short stay at North DMC, given the time constraints and the magnitude of work. Their dedication and sincerity towards the work assigned is appreciable. I assume, TERI SAS will continue to imbibe the spirit of sincerity and quality work among its students."

Dr. Dinesh Kumar KathpaliaAssistant Engineer - Civil, DEMS, North DMC

Student Exchange Programme: University de Reims, France

Two students , Vaibhav Rao and Abir Nilosey of the 2014-16 batch were also selected for two months' internship at the University of Reims, France. They undertook a study of understanding Peri-Urbanization, Highlighting Issues Associated with it and Possible Solutions.

Major Project Part 2 (Fourth Semester): Fourth semester students of 2013-15 batch have been placed with various well-established organizations in the urban development sector, namely HUDCO, NIUA, Centre for Economic and Social Studies, IPE Global, Ecorys, Shakti Foundation, TERI Western Regional Centre, Studio 11, and NK Buildcon.

Student Participation and Achievements

Projects

A Study on Urban and Environmental Challenges: A Case of Delhi NCR

In the course of Urban Ecology and Environment & Sustainable Provision and Management of Urban Services, students studied the impact of Ecology on Urban Services (water supply, sewage, transportation, solid waste management, etc.) due to the development around the eco-sensitive and industrial areas. Hence, students studied the following areas to understand the correlation between ecology and development.

Key Findings

AREA

ISSUES OBSERVED

SUGGESTIONS

Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS)

Encroachment of wetland, silting, and direct sewage disposal in Yamuna river;the number of birds visiting the sanctuary has reduced over the years; presence of high tension wires which kill many birds; and multiplicity of institutional management.

For better management of this area, a separate institution should be established on special purpose vehicle (SPV) basis, strict action against poaching of birds, treatment of sewage discharge directly from nearby areas,laying underground high tension wires.

Neela Hauz Lake

Kishangarh and Garhwal unauthorized colonies discharge sewage water directly into the lake which contaminates the water body, shrinking of lake due to development on the catchment area.

Stopping direct discharge of sewage water into the lake and the development of the catchment area to recharge lake with rainwater.

Yamuna Flood Plain (near Shastri Park Metro Station)

Encroachments by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and presence of unauthorized colonies over low-lying areas of Yamuna flood plain area poses a threat to people and property.

Restrict further development on flood plain area. Establishment of natural areas with native vegetation and reserving the flood plain only for passive recreational activity use.

Mandatory green belt around every industrial area, point to point collection of industrial discharge via tractor trolleys and treatment at a central location to control BOD and COD.

Ghazipur Landfill Site

Illegal dumping on saturated landfill site, people residing in the nearby areas are facing health issues, underground water contamination, and air pollution.

Waste-to-energy plant and capturing of methane from landfill will reduce the effects of landfill site.

Learnings

This assignment made the students understand the urban environmental challenges and inculcating sustainability in developing suggestions for better management of these locations.

Critical Analysis of Regeneration and City Competitiveness (Gurgaon)

In the course of Regeneration and City Competitiveness, the students were exposed to both regenerative and competitive aspects of a city. The study focussed on the indicators, which increases or decreases the competitive character of a city. Students analysed the case of four satellite cities of Delhi NCR, viz. Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Noida. This study emphasized on the advantages,disadvantages, and drawbacks of the cities competitiveness.

Further, the study dealt with regeneration in the context of competitiveness and how cities have the regenerative capacity to cope with the city's competitive character.

Key Findings

This study shows that Gurgaon is a competitive city in terms of real estate development, investments,employment opportunities; Faridabad in large-scale industrial development; Noida in education; and Ghaziabad in small-scale industrial development.

Learnings

The students were exposed to how cities compete with each other to gain economic, political, and social benefits. Strategies for identifying the key competitive and regenerative characters as well as the catalysts that enhance the competitiveness of a city to gain economic benefit for the city and region.

City and Regional Land Use Transformations in the Context of Delhi NCR

In the course of City and Regional Planning and Management, students were exposed to land use changes over time in satellite cities of Delhi NCR, viz. Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Noida and to find out key factors influencing the change.

Key Findings

Land use violations such as industrial development takeovers the residential land use in Faridabad; residential land use takeovers recreational land use in Ghaziabad; commercial land use takeovers residential land use in Gurgaon, and education sector takeovers the residential land use in Noida. So, rapid development shadows residential and recreational land use in respective satellite cities.

Learnings

Through this exercise, the students were exposed to key factors that brought change in land use such as change in policy, industrial development, role of private sector in development, metro, etc. The application of ERDAS Imagine and Arc GIS to identify the changes in land use.

Study on Disaster Prone Urban Areas to Climate Resilient Cities

In the course of Urban Disaster Management and Climate Resilient Cities, the students were exposed to climate resilient characteristics of a city and strategies to mitigate disasters by reviewing case studies from national and international practices.

The students were given a task to study three types of disasters, Bhuj earthquake (2001), Vishakhapatnam Cyclone Hudhud (2014), and floods in Jammu and Kashmir (2014).

Key Findings

Due to rapid urbanization and climate change, vulnerability of these areas has increased. The lack of efficient disaster management strategies has led to loss of life, animal husbandry, infrastructure, livelihoods, and revenue.

Due to uncontrolled population growth, there has been a change in the land use pattern, i.e., green cover to urban land use. Further, rapid urbanization, violations in building bye-laws, master plan zoning regulations, and coastal regulation zone and increase in frequency of disasters during last hundred years has led to an increase in vulnerability. However, improvement in early warning systems over the years has reduced the loss of human life.

Learnings

Vulnerability assessment and mapping for identifying vulnerable areas of a city; mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of disasters like role of early warning systems in reducing the impact of disasters;identifying sustainable approaches to make cities climate resilient and alternatives for financing of climate resilient cities

Field Visits

Students went on several field visits in 2014 and 2015. Details are as under:

Lucknow, Jagdishpur, Alwar etc. (2014): As part of the study tour organized during the first mid-semester break, students, along with the fellow students of other disciplines, from the University visited Lucknow, Jagdishpur, Alwar, Jaipur, Agra, Mukteshwar-Jim Corbett, and Roorkee-Rajaji National Park. They examined the complexities of urban, rural, and natural habitat. The main objective of the trip was to understand the nexus between development and sustainability.

Rejuvenation of seasonal rivulets of Arvari river basin as perennial rivers by Tarun Bharat Sangh.Construction of Johad (a pond) which collects, stores, and allows rainwater to percolate into the ground which leads to a rise in the level of water table in the village. As a result of which the economic position of the village has uplifted-Alwar.

Eco-friendly chulha made by TERI, used by villagers in Ashrafpur; changing urban morphology of Lucknow from Baghs and Ganjs to Parks and Malls - Lucknow-Jagdishpur Visit.

A Community Radio Station run by TERI, 'Kumaon Vani' helps farmers to communicate and exchange their knowledge with other farmers; TRISHA a research facility to showcase agricultural best practices-Mukteshwar-Jim Corbett Visit.

Mangar Bani (2014)- A Sacred Forest: A study trip was organized for students in the course of urban ecology to understand the ecological importance and the growing threat over Mangar Bani. Here, real estate boom is posing threats to the forests in Delhi NCR.

Activity Sampling to know and count the number of species-All students, in groups of three, prepared a list which covered number of different trees and their height.Key Findings Students identified increasing pressure over native tree species such as Anogeissus pendula (Dhau) from animals, dependency of villagers, and real estate development. Also, they observed that in Mangar Bani, Prosopis juliflora (Junglee Kikar) is an exotic species, which is dominant in this area.Learnings The students understood the role of urban forest to maintain ecological balance in the city. Further, by sampling activity, students learned the sampling methods and process of enumerating the number of tree species.

Shimla (2015): The objective of the tour was to identify the parameters that contributed for the Best City award in the category of Public Services by ABP News in March 2014. The students visited Shimla Municipal Corporation.

Key Findings

Shimla Municipal Corporation has taken a sustainable initiative of rehabilitation and extension of the water transmission and distribution network and has successfully completed pilot project of reuse of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste material to construct the city roads. To enrich the city's heritage value, the corporation proposed beautification of Shimla to attract tourists and to preserve ecology of the city. A separate body Heritage Advisory Council (HAC) is formed to monitor building bye-laws and give reconstruction permissions for buildings in the heritage zone of the city.

It is quite commendable that the city is able to manage its growing population and simultaneously cater to the floating population. The city has immense management potential of urban services and stress by the growing population.

Learnings Despite the challenges of undulating terrain and lack of e-governance, the city is managing its traffic, solid waste, and disaster-related problems effectively. The students were also exposed to efficient governance system without e-governance.

Jindal Global City, Sonipat (2015): As a part of Real Estate Development course, students visited the Jindal Global City which is located in Sonipat. The main objective of this trip was to expose the students to various new materials and techniques used in the building material sector. The visit helped the students to understand the practical aspects and the advance practices in the real estate sector.

Key Findings

The building technologies practiced by Jindal are conventional, pre-cast, steel structure, and schnell. The manufacturing cost of building material with these new technologies is very high when compared to conventional techniques. Nevertheless, the new technologies reduce water consumption and labour demand, and most importantly, the time for construction.

This technology currently in use in a hostel is built at the O P Jindal Global University within six months and also in Jindal real estate ventures.

Learnings

The students understood the aspects of manufacturing, construction, and installing building components such as erecting of walls, attachment of walls to walls, roof to walls, and provision of conduits. Further, the new technologies are reducing the consumption of natural resources, waste materials, thus, driving the way for sustainable development.

Events and Activities

The GRIHA Summit, IHC - 2014

ADaRSH in association with TERI and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, conducted its fifth flagship event. Students of MTech UDM programme attended the Summit to gain insights from the best practitioners in the field of green building and energy efficiency sectors.